Fence-stay-wire-forming machine.



' FENCE STAY WIRE FORMING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPLZB $916. 1,258,271. Patented Mans), 191s.

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Patented Mai. 5, 19m

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Josera marrant/raw, or mmunaroms, MINNESOTA.

FENE-STAY-WIREIORMNG MACHEN E.

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To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSH T. TlLMAN,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Minneapolis, in the county ofHennepin and State of Minnesota, have invented a new and useful Improvement in FenceStay-Wire-v Formng Machines, of which the following is a specification. y

-vThis invention relate/sto certain new and useful improvements in wire forming machines, and more particularly contemplates the provision of an eilicient machine of this character adapted to form stays or supports useful as a means for strengthening fences and the like.

An object of the invention is to provide a device of this type whereby a fence stay may be formed from a single piece of spring or other wire in a simpleand rapid manner,

the finished article being of an even, neat` appearance as well as strong and durable.

Another object is to provide means whereby stays of. different lengths may be formed in the same machine.

A. still further object is to provide means whereby, upon completion of the formation of the stay, the forming parts of the inachine are automatically returned to initial position for the repetition of the operation.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will be hereinafter set forth and the -novel features thereof defined by the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a side elevation, partly in section, of themachine; Fig. 2 is a plan partly in section and broken away; Fig. 3 isan end elevation; Fig. 4 is a section taken on the line X-X of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a section broken away on the line Y-Y of Fig. 2; Fig. 6 is a detail of the clutch employed; Fig. 7 is a detail in perspective of the wire engaging block; Fig. 8 is a view broken away of the wire forming tube showing the engaging block in position thereon, a wire likewise being illustrated in the process of formation; Fig. 9 shows the completed wire fence stay; and Fig. 10 is a perspective of the trip device.

Like characters of reference referto like parts in the several figures of the drawings.

In the drawings, ,the reference character A, representsffa base or platform, which as shown, is rectangular in shape, at or adjacent one end of which is xedly placed a vertically disposed housing or skeleton cas- Specication of Letters atent.

Patented Mar. 5, ii.

Application Ytiled september 25, 1916i.v Serial No. 121,997.

ing B while adjacent the opposite endl is secured a standard C. Extending longitudinally yand horizontally between said standardl and housing near their upper extremities is a rotatable hollow tube 5 having a suitable bearing 6 within the housing into which the tube projects. At'equal elevations above the base A, the standard and housing are also provided with bearings 8 and 9, respeceA tively, within which is journaleda -lead screw 10 provided with' continuous threads 11 of suitable pitch, an end of this, lead screw extending beyond the bearing 9 into the housing and having keyed crotherwise se cured thereto a gear wheel l2, a similar gear wheel 13 being secured to the corresponding end of the tube 5. A shaft 14 is journaled within the housing so as to extend trans versely interinediate the gear wheels l2 and 13, said shaft being provided with a worin l5 meshing with the saidgear wheels so as to rotate the same andthe attached tube and lead screw as will be understood. @ne

Aend of the transverse shaft 14 projects beyond its bearing in the'housing and carries a pinion 16 meshing with a large gear wheel 17 secured to one extremity of a second transverse shaft 18 journaled in the housing, a suitable crank arm 19 being attached tc the other end of shaft 18 for imparting rc tary movement thereto. lt is to be understood that the tube 5 and lead screw 'i0 are disposed parallel in the same vertical plane so as to aiiord guides upon which a fllower D, to be later explained in'detail, is free to move longitudinally of the base.

The follower D comprises an' elongated casting having spaced enlarged portions 20 and 21 through which passages' are provided, a tubular forming tool 22 being rigidly attached within the passage of the enlargement 20 and aording a bearing through which'the tube 5 is free to rotate and slide. The tool 22 has an integral odset hook- 4shaped portion 23, the purpose of which will subsequently appear.

At its enlarged portion 21, the follower is provided with a one. endl of a lever 25 shown as extending g 27 attached tothe lever for oscillatory movement nd imposition to engage the threads 11 ofthe lead screw. The enlarged portion 421 has formed therein a passage 21 within which is reciprocably disposedv a Pleuger 28 lug 24 to which is pivoted engagement as shown' at 42.

,device E havingy a rounded end designed to engage either the upper or lower side of a finger 29 projecting from the lever, the linger being designed to ride over the rounded end of the plunger, when the lever is tripped in a manner to be set forth, and thus hold the pin in or out of engagement with the lead screw.

The passage 21 is partially chambered to accommodate a spring30 bearin at oney end against a collar 31 carried by t e plunger and at the other end against a screw 'plug 32 threaded into the aperture whereby the plunger is normally maintained in outermost position.

Extending freely through an opening formed in the follower D and secured at its opposite end to the housing B and standard C intermediate the hollow tube 5 and lead screw 10 is a graduated rod 33 upon which .is slidably disposed the collar 34 of atrip (see Fig. 10)` having an integral depending plate 35 projectin therefrom provided with forks 36 and 3 at its free end straddling the lead screw 10, the fork 36 being bent atan angle tothe plane in which the plate 35 lies to form a trip arm against which the lever 25 impinges and by which it is raised during the operation of the device to release the pin 26 from engagement with the thread 11 of the lead screw. A set-screw 38 with which the collar 34 is provided serves as a means `for retaining the trip device in selected' position l 35 upon the graduated rod 33.

Secured upon the base A, is a longitudinally extending track 39 upon which the lower end of the follower I) is adapted to ride, a spaced roller 40 journaled to the follower being employed for the purposeI of reducing to a minimum the friction resulting from the movement of the follower along the track. When it is desired to form a stay for fences and the like, the end of a suitable wire is inserted into the end of the tube 5 remote from the gear wheel 13 until it contacts with an obstruction such as the extremity of a suitable bar 41 inserted into the other end of the tube 5 through a wall of the housing where it is held by threaded The wire is then bent about the end of the tube from 4which it projects and where it 1s engaged by a retaining hook 43 forming an integral part of the tube 5. The projecting strand of wire is likewise engaged by the hook 23 of the tool. Rotary motion is then imparted to the tube 5 and the lead screw 10 through the medium of the crank handle, enlarged gear, inion, worm and worm gears above,

descri ed, the pin 26 depending from the lever 25 engaging the thread 11 of the lead screw and causing the follower D to move longitudinally and to spirally wind the Wire l around the rotating tube 5 due to the e11- incassi gagement, and the retention of `the, wire movement of the follower, by the cam or angle surface of the fork 36 which causes the finger 29 of the lever to ride over the' end of the spring pressed plunger and to lift the pin 26 from engagement with the thread ofthe lead screw so as lto automatically stop the forward movement of the follower and consequently thespiral winding of the wire on the tubel 5. kAs soon as the pin 26 is disengaged from the thread, the follower is returned to its initial or 'starting point under the action of a spring drum 44 carried by a bracket 45 mounted on the base as shown in Fig. 1, a cable 46 wound upon the drum and having its end connected to the follower as at 47 being utilized for the pur ose.

In or er to cushion the return movement of *the follower, a cylindrical casing 48 formed to the lower portion of the follower is adapted to be received within the casing through the bell-shaped open end thereof. The operation of these parts is similar to that of a number of the well known pneumatic door checks now on the market and' need nottherefore be explained.

As shown in Fig. 9, the completed stay generallyv comprises a .straight or core portion 54 and the convoluted portion 55, which portions are formed of a single piece of wire to increase the strength and durability of the stay. The length of the core 54 is determined and regulated by the extent to which the rod 41 is inserted into the tube 5; while the length assumed by the convoluted portion 55 is re lated by the adjustment of the trip device upon the graduated rod 33, the pitch of the threads 11 on the. lead screw determining the distance-measured on aline parallel tothe axis, between two adjacent portions of the spiral. It is to be understood that the invention contemplates the use of aplurality of lead screws having threads of different pitches.

In accordance withthe patent statutes, I have described the principlesl of operation of my invention, together .with the appalconnecting said ratus which now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof, but l desire to have it understood that the construction shown is only illustrative,- and that the invention can be carried out by other means and applied to uses other than those above set forth within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to `protect by Letters Patent is:

i. A fence-stay forming machine, comprising a base, a vertically extending gear casing 'mounted upon said base at one end thereof, a member mounted on said base for movement to and from said gear casing, a

hollow tube having a bearing adjacent one end in said casing and being provided with wire-engaging means at its other end, a forming tool having wire-engaging means secured to said member and providing a slidefbearing` for said tube, a lead screwjonrnaled in said casing and having a slidebearing in said member, means ior operably member to said lead screw, 'and gear'mechanism Within said casing for imparting simultaneous rotary movement to said rod and to said lead screw whereby said member is moved longitudinaily upon said base.

52. A fence stay forming machine, comprising a base having a longitudinal' track upon its face, a vertically extending gear casing mounted upon said base at one end thereof, a member mounted upon said track for movement to and from said gear casing, u. hollow tube having a bearing adjacent one end in said casing and being provided,

with wire engaging means at its other end, a tubular forming tool having. Wire engaging means secured to said member and providing a slide-bearing for said tube, a lead screw journaled in said casing and having a slide-bearing in said member, means for operably connecting said member to said lead screw, and gear mechanism within said casing for imparting simultaneous rotary movement to said rod and to said lead screw whereby said member is movedy upon said track.

3. fence stay/ forming machine, comprising a base, a vertically extending gear casing mounted upon said base at one end thereof,- a member mounted upon the base for movement to and from said gear casing, a hollow tube having a bearing adiacentone end in said gear casing enf`- being provided with .vire-engaging means at its other end, a tubular forming tool having wire-engaging means secured to said member and providing a slide-bearing for sald tube, a lead screw Journaled 1n said casing having a slide-bearing in said member, releasable means for operably connecting said member to said lead screw, and gear mechanism within said casing for imparting Simultaneous rotary movement to said rod and tosaid lead screw whereby said member is moved longitudinally upon said base.

4. A fence stay forming machine, comprising a base, va vertically extending gear :using mounted upon' said base at one end thereof, a member mounted upon the base for movement to and from said gear casing, a hollow tube having a bearing adjacent one end in said gear casing and being provided With wire-engaging means at its other end, a tubular forming tool having wireengaging means secured to said member and providing a slide-bearing for said. tube, ,a lead screw journaled in said casing having -a slide-bearing in\ said member, releasable means for operably connecting said member `to said lead screw, a trip device adapted to contact with and disconnect said` releasable means from engagement with said lead screw, and gear mechanlsm within said casing for imparting simultaneous rotary movement to said rod and to said lead screw whereby said member is moved longitudinaly upon said base.

5. A Afence-stay forming machine, comprising a base', a vertically extending gear casing mounted upon said base at one end thereof, a member mounted upon the base for movement to and from said gear casing, said member having an aperture therethrough, a hollow tube having a bearing adjacent one end in said gear casing and being provided withAwire-engaging means at 100 its other end, a tubular ormingtool having wire-engaging means secured to'said member and providing a slide-bearing Jfor said tube, a lead screw journaled in said casing having a slide-bearing in said member, ref-,105 leasable means for operably connecting said member to said lead screw, a graduated bar secured at one end to said casing and projecting through the aperture in said member, a trip device adjustably carried upon-110 said graduated bar adapted to contact withand disconnect said releasable means from engagement with said lead screw, and gear its other end,"a forming tool havin wireenga ing means secured to said mem er and providing a slide-bearingfor said tube, also lead screw journaled in said casing and said standard andvhaving a slide-bearing in said member, means for operably connecting said member to said lead screw, and gear mechanism withinsaid casing for imparting simultaneous rotary movement to'said rod and to said lead screw whereby said member is moved longitudinally upon said base.,

A fence-stay forming machine,r comprising a base, a vertically extending gear casing mounted upon said base at one end thereof, a standard carried by said base adjacent its other end, a member mounted on said base for movement between said casing and said standard, ahollow tube having a bearing adjacent one end in said gear casing and being provided with wire-engaging .means at its other end, a tubular form-ing tool having wire-engaging means secured to said member and providing a slide-bearing for said tube, a lead screw j ournaled in said easing and said standard and having a slide bearing in said member, releasa'ble means for operably connecting said member to said lead screw, a graduated bar secured at one end to said casing and projecting through prising abase, a vertically extending gear casing mounted upon-said base at one end thereof, a member mounted on said base for movement to and from said gear casing, a,

hollow tube having a bearing adjacent one end in said casing and being provided with wire-engaging means at its other end, a

v forming tool having wire-engaging means secured to said member and4 providing a slidebearing for said tube, a` lead screw journaled in said casing and having a slidebearing in said member, means pivotally carried by said member adapted to releas. ably engage said lead screw for imparting movement to said member,`a trip device adapted to contact with and disconnect said pivoted means from engagement with said lead screw, and gear mechanism within said casing for imparting simultaneous rotary movement to said rod and to said lead screw whereby said member is moved longitudinally upon said base.

9. A fence-stay forming machine, comprising a base, a vertically extending gear casing mounted upon said base'at one end thereonalstandard carried by said base ad jacent its other end, a member mounted on said base for movement between said casing and said standard, a wire-receivin having a bearing adjacent one end 1n said casing and being provided with wire-engag ing means at its other end, a forming'tool having wire-engaging means secured to said member and providing a slide-bearing for saidI tube, a lead'screw journaled in said casing and said standard lhaving, a slidebearing in said member, means pivotally carried by said member adapted to releasably engage said lead screw for imparting movement to said member, means held under spring tension for retaining said pivoted means in engagement with said screw, a trip device adapted to contact with and disconnect said pivoted means from enga ementy with said lead screw, and gear mec, anism within said casing for imparting simultaneous rotary movement to said rod and to said lead screw whereby said member is moved longitudinally upon said base.

10. A fence-stay forming machine, comprising a base, a vertically extending gear casing mounted upon said base at one end thereof, a standard carried by said base ad.- l jacent its other end, a member mounted on said base for movement between said casing and Osaid standard, a wire-receiving tube having a bearing adjacent one end in said casing and being provided with wire-engaga ing means at its other end, a forming tool' having wire-engaging means secured to said member and providing a slide-bearing for said tube, -a lead screw journaled in said casing and said standard having a slidebearing in said member, means pivotally carried by said member adapted to releasably engage said lead screw for imparting `movement to said member, means held un-v der spring tension for retaining s aid pivoted means in engagement with said screw, a trip device adapted' to contact with and disconnect said pivoted means from engagev ment with said lead screw, a spring drum carried by said base, a cable having one of its ends secured' to said member and adapted to wind on said drum whereby said member is returned to initial position when said pivoted means is disconnected from said screw, and gear mechanism within said casing for imparting simultaneous rotary move- Vment to said rod and to said lead screw Wherebysaid member is moved longitudinally upon said base.

In testimony whereof, I have signed-my name to this specification.

' JOSEPH T. TILLMAN. 

